News

Rape That Allegedly Occurred 3 Years Ago Reported

A rape that allegedly occurred three years ago on the Ohio University campus was reported to police on Tuesday.

Because the investigation is still ongoing into the case, police are not talking about details of the alleged incident, according to Lt. Tim Ryan of the Ohio University Police Department.

The initial report filed with the police said that a woman reported she was raped in Shively Hall by “a known assailant” on or about Sept. 30, 2011.

The statute of limitations on rape investigations is 20 years, Ryan said.

This is the third rape in less than a month to be reported to OUPD, although the other two allegedly happened more recently.

Police were notified on Nov. 23 that a woman who wished to remain anonymous had been raped. The police were notified by a woman who claimed to be a friend of the alleged victim.

The rape was alleged to have happened on Morton Hill at around 2 a.m. that day. The caller claimed her friend had been walking alone down Morton Hill and was attacked by a white male described as approximately 5-foot-6-inches tall with a muscular build with dark brown hair and a beard. The main was wearing a white sweatshirt and blue jeans, according to the caller.

Another rape was reported anonymously on Nov. 17, when police were alerted by OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital. The hospital reported a woman who said she was raped by an unknown man on the Main Green of OU’s Campus, according to previous Messenger reporting.

The woman said the rape had occurred on Nov. 11 at about 2 a.m. She said a group of men had walked past her when one of them began to approach her. The man tried to kiss her before holding her hands together and digitally penetrating her, according to the police report.

She said she sprayed the man with pepper spray which caused the man and the rest of the group to flee.

Investigators ask that anyone with information on these alleged incidents contact OUPD at (740) 593-1911.